Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2002 Chevrolet TrackerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker. Most complaints involve suspension (16) and structure (14). The EPA rates it 17–22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
17–22mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
72
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
72 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2001 – Sep 2024
- Suspension16
- Structure14
- Air bags9
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Electrical system8
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Visibility7
- Service brakes4
- Steering4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Suspension
16 reports2 crashes
“MY MOTHER AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR JUST LUNGED FORWARD SHARPLY AND MADE US SWERVE A LITTLE. I PULLED OVER AND SEEN THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING "OFF" A LITTLE. WE TOWED IT HOME AND MY STEP DAD LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE CAR HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE SUBFRAME. THE SUBSPENSION SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER PART COULD OF KILLED US. SHE BOUGHT THIS CAR AT 29 MILES FROM DAVE WHITE CHEVEROLT IN 2001. NOTHING WAS SENT TO US FROM THE MANUFACTURE OR THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PART BEING A DANGEROUS PART. IT WAS TO BE REPLACED I HEARD IF THE CAR REACHED 150,000 MILES OR 10 PLUS YEARS. SHE HAD THIS CAR FOR BOTH AND WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART. WE HAD IT TOWED THIS WEEKEND AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE.”
Structure
14 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET TRACKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FRONT END SWERVED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME AND THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.”
Air bags
9 reports7 crashes1 fire
“The safety airbags exploded and burning my face and the passenger side passenger it was very hard and his arm and the of explosion of the airbags she was spraying and burning the face and was”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
12 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracker 2WD Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 2WD Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 2WD Hardtop Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 2WD Hardtop Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Tracker 4WD Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 4WD Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 4WD Hardtop Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker 4WD Hardtop Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker ZR2 4WD Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tracker LT 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Tracker LT 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Tracker ZR2 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker as of Oct 31, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2002 Tracker questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Tracker problems?
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (16), structure (14), air bags (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Tracker at 17–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026